I want to read the Holy Bible, but...?

Question

Let me introduce myself. First, I'm an atheist, mostly because I was raised in an atheist family and culture. I moved to America 7 years ago and got tremendously interested in Christianity.

So I have decided to read the Bible to get a taste of its beauty. Also, considering the scripture is like the foundation of the western hemisphere, reading the Bible will surely help myself get melted into the American culture.

However, no offense to the Christians out there, the Bible is a pretty boring book. And it's long. I started with Page 1 the Genesis, which is interesting, but from there it gets duller and duller.

I know the Bible shouldn't be like this. Maybe I'm reading it without the guidance from a minister? What's the deal? Can you help me?

Answer 1

ABSOLUTELY...I can help!

In 1995, I was an atheist...and ran into the SAME exact problem!!!

Here is the solution:
1) Get "The Quest Study Bible"...it is the NIV version of the Bible with lots of study notes and little commentaries on the side of the page. This helps, because 1) Some versions of the Bible are very difficult to read/understand 2) The little articles on the side add a lot of interesting facts and comments

You can purchase it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Study-Bible-International-Version/dp/031092412X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/105-1684546-6295644?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184532407&sr=1-3

(As a matter of fact: I'll buy it for you myself...and have it sent to any address you want - simply select my ID...look at my profile...and email me with an address)

2) Start in Matthew (the New Testament), and read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
After this, consider reading some chapters in the Pslams and some chapters in the Proverbs. If you get this far, then consider reading Acts.

After this, if you simple read and make a diligent study the book of Romans, then you will understand and know more about Christianity than most of the world (including most people who call themselves Christians).

God will give you guidance (even if you don't believe in Him...yet).

Simply shoot up a prayer to God before you read each time.

Perhaps your prayer could be, "Well...uhh...God...you know how I grew up and how I have not really believed in you. But since coming to America, I have gotten tremendously interested in Christianity. I'd like to learn more about it. if you are really there, and really exist, I'd like to know more about you and the Bible. Please show yourself to me...and help me to understand this book. Amen."

My point being - be honest and open...even with any conerns you have. A heart that TRULY seeks to know the truth about God, the Bible, and whether He exists or not...will NOT be turned away by God.

Grace and peace be with you!

P.S. And be CAREFUL. 1) You might end up becoming a Christian, like me!! 2) What "Christians" say about the Bible is often the opposite of what the Bible actually says! So read it yourself and search to see if what others say is actually true! (Acts 17:11)!

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Answer 2

First, I'd like to say that I am a Christian and I think it is a good thing that you are reading the Bible. Don't be so quick to dismiss it as boring. The Bible is actually filled with fascinating people and events, especially in Genesis, Exodus, 1st and 2nd Kings, Judges, Psalms, Proverbs (Proverbs is amazing for its wisdom), Isaiah, and Daniel just to name a few. And that's just the old testament.

My advice to you is to have patience and keep reading. I know that you will eventually find things that will interest you, fascinate you, and even speak to you in a special way. I would also advise you to pace yourself. You don't have to try to blaze through it a book at a time. If you read just 5 chapters 5 days a week, you would finish reading the whole bible in only a year. And that's a good way to do it. Read a few chapters a day, not too many, and reflect on what you read, write down notes with chapter and verse of things you found you liked or maybe didn't understand so that you could ask someone. Keep at it and I promise you that you will definitely gain something from it. You really have nothing to lose.

God Bless.

By the way, I was reading some of the other answers and I would strongly suggest staying away from "The Message". It completely rewrites and changes meanings of the Bible and even omits key scriptures. See what I mean here: http://www.crossroad.to/Bible_studies/Message.html

Unfortunatley, there is no such thing as a perfect English translation of the Bible but if you want one that is in more modern English, the English Standard is much closer to the original manuscripts.

Answer 3

Well, before I can suggest anything, it would help to know which version you're reading. If it's the KJV, or even the NKJV, it's totally understandable. All those "begats" tend to make a person's eyes glaze.

Try reading The Message. It's written in a contemporary language, and it's REALLY easy to understand.

However, I would suggest getting other sources to help you understand what you're reading. The Bible is...well...hard to understand. Even for Christians it's difficult. It isn't always straightforward; sometimes one has to read between the lines.

Might I suggest looking into some good study concordances? You can find a list of them on amazon.com.

And yes, I would suggest speaking to a minister as well.

If, in your reading, you have questions, feel free to email me. I'd be glad to help however I can. You can use the email through Answers, or just mail me directly at [e-mail].

Best of luck!

Edit: And yes, The Message does change a few things. However, it's mostly true to the original meaning. I would suggest not reading The Message alone. I read it for pleasure only, but to make sure I have a clear view, I reference it with the NIV, NKJV, and KJV.

Perhaps you could try www.biblegateway.com, and find a translation that will work best for you.

Answer 4

I'm not saying this to be funny or condescending...I mean it seriously as a way to help you. That's what I did for my mom when she started to read the bible. I got her one of those "Idiot's" books..."The Idiot's Guide to the Bible." By looking through that, you can familiarize yourself with the bible, how it's structured, find out what points would be of interest to you, etc. Also, you can read the actual bible and have the "Idiot's" book handy as sort of a translator when you get into parts that are complicated. Or if a certain part is too boring but you want to know what it says, again, the Idiots book will give you a summary or an explanation. I'm not saying you should just read the Idiot's Guide to the Bible....no, read the actual bible, but use one of those Idiot or Dummy books as a reference. Good luck to you. It is very noble that you want to do this, both because you are trying to possibly broaden your spirituality and to learn more about the western culture. Kudos!

Answer 5

Many read the Bible for many reasons -- history, prose, poetry, prophecy, understanding God, religion, etc. And the Bible is good for all these things.

It is written in many different styles, because it has been written by many different people over many thousands of years. There are historical writing -- boring to some, interesting to others; the best way to get interested in these parts is to get into the story flow -- ask yourself who are those involved, why are these things going the way they are, who, what, why, when, how and where?

There are lists, registries, genealogies, and the like -- really boring stuff. It is best to try and derive some information, such as when Adam was created, by calculating the years in the genealogies. Or you can just skip over the really boring stuff. In general, it might be better for a newcomer to the Bible to just skip around for a while.

Reading and being interested in the Bible is good, but understanding the Bible is better, but quite another matter. That requires the mind of God, and possibly some outside guidance.

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The Bible itself states, "A good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Psalms 111:10).

And the Bible records the words of one man on the need for guidance, "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him" (Acts 8:30-31).

So, if you're reading the Bible just out of curiosity, fine; and if you want to get interested in it, focus you reasons for reading it. And if you want to understand it, do what it instructs.

Answer 6

I can certainly understand your dilemma. Remember that the Bible is not just a Book. It is 66 books, written over a period of nearly 1800 years but a multitude of authors. I appreciate your interest; start by reading first 3 chapters of each book rather than one whole book at a time. Many of the historical books, have little interest to us today. Spend one hour some day and just read Marks gospel, as it gives a good summary of life of Jesus: Do not read Revelation to begin with.
After your intro reading is finished, then purchase
a good Bible commentary-for other answers.
You are looking for principles: Enjoy and learn.

Answer 7

The Bible is pretty hard to read chronologically, particularly the Old Testament, which has chunks of genealogies and very dull food & hygeine commandments interspersed with the most extraordinary passages of cosmic narrative & poetry.

I would recommend starting with the following:

Genesis, but jump from the Creation story & Fall to the stories of Jacob & Joseph.

Exodus & the final chapters of Deuteronomy

The Song of Songs/Song of Solomon*

The Book of Daniel

St Luke's Gospel

St John's Gospel*

Acts

First Epistle of John*

* ones are particular peaks of the Bible

These will introduce you to some of the most mystical and spiritual sections of the Bible. You can go from there...

Answer 8

I would recommend that you read the New Testament first. The Bible is essentially a library of 66 books/letters. These are divided into two parts, the Old and New Testaments (or Covenants).

Read through a Gospel first, (I recommend John) and then read the Acts of the Apostles next. These will give you a background in what Christianity is about. It speaks of the human condition, and doesn't leave out the bad stuff. It speaks to who we are as a people, and that we need a Savior, and what that Savior did for us.

Answer 9

The bible does say that that natural man doesn't understand the things of God. You can only understand the word of God by the spirit of God. You must be born again and receive his spirit because the sprirt and the word of God agree in one. To read the bible without the spirit of God will bring nothing but confusion and condemnation. To read it with the spirit of God dwelling on the inside brings life and peace. Jesus Christ hid things from the wise and the prudent and the prideful deliberately by chosing simple things to confound the wisdom of the wise. The truth is so simple that natural man cannot perceive and understand and receive it as a gift because man wants to, by nature, complicate things. That is why there are so many denominations because of man wanting to build and make God into his own image. Jesus Christ shed his blood for our sins. He also came and destroyed and tore down the religeous system that was abusing the people of God and making a hierarchy and lording theirselves over people. Jesus Christ did not die just to tear that down and then rebuild another "defunct" system of religeon!! Man did that. Not God. If a person is sincere in his heart when he reads the bible, God will mannifest himself to him. It depends on what is truly going on in your heart and only God knows that.

Answer 10

The Bible is The Word of God! It is the 'owners manuel', if you will about your life and how we are HIS creation. I would recommend that you begin with the book of John in the New Testament and learn about Jesus Christ. After all, the entire bible is all about HIM. The Old Testament contains prophetic insight into the Jewish Messiah. It tells before hand all about Jesus Christ. Before Jesus was born a man, "HE was GOD and was With GOD." I believe you will find it a more interesting read once you put JESUS in HIS rightful place, not only in scripture, but your heart as well. Let me know how it goes? Thanks!